Jobless rate edges higher

The nation's unemployment rate has climbed to 5.8 per cent despite a solid improvement in the total number of people in work.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported today that total unemployment lifted by 0.1 percentage points through November.

There were 21,000 jobs created through the month of which 15,500 were full time.

But at the same time there was a 3400 lift in the total number of people out of work, driven by a 6800 lift in the number of people hoping to find part time work.

Through the month the participation rate was steady although there was a 0.7 per cent drop in the total number of hours worked across the country.

The result was in line with market expectations.

In WA the unemployment rate was steady at 4.3 per cent.

While the male unemployment rate across the State fell sharply to 4.4 per cent, its lowest level since December last year, female joblessness lifted to 4.1 per cent.

Elsewhere, the jobless rate was steady in NSW at 5.9 per cent and in Tasmania at 7.8 per cent. It fell to 5.6 per cent in Queensland.

But in the two States where Holden has a manufacturing presence the jobless rates climbed.

Unemployment lifted to 6.2 per cent in Victoria, from six per cent, while in South Australia it climbed to 6.8 per cent from 6.6 per cent.